ALERT: Fresh mountain lion tracks spotted at Gunlock State Park

GUNLOCK STATE PARK, Utah ( ABC4 ) — Fresh mountain lion tracks have been spotted at Gunlock State Park, according to the Utah Dept. of Natural Resources.

“Today we spotted some extremely fresh puma (or mountain lion) tracks in the area,” Gunlock State Park posted on social media . “While attacks are rare, it’s best not to hike alone in general.”

What to do if you encounter a mountain lion in Utah:

Mountain lions — also known as cougars or pumas — are found across Utah. While attacks by the large, elusive cats are considered rare, the Division of Wildlife Resources said you should still take a few simple precautions to keep yourself safe.

Cougars can typically be found in foothills and canyon areas, though the DWR said they can sometimes be spotted in valleys. This happens in winter when deer — cougars’ main prey — head to lower elevations in search of food, and cougars follow.

“People are the most likely to encounter cougars in areas frequented by mule deer and during the early morning and at dusk, when cougars are most likely to be hunting,” Utah DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Darren DeBloois said.

Mountain lions are also known for eating elk, pronghorn, small mammals and, occasionally, birds. After a kill, cougars will often hide the carcass by covering it with soil, leaves, or snow, saving it to feed on later.

Here is a list of tips to help prevent conflicts with cougars, provided by the DWR:

• Do not hike or jog alone.
• Maintain awareness in cougar country while hiking or jogging and avoid using headphones that block out your surroundings.
• Travel in groups and keep everyone together, including children and dogs.
• Make noise while hiking to alert cougars of your presence.
• Leave the area if you find a dead animal, especially deer or elk, since it could be a cougar kill.
• If you live in an area near deer habitat, do not leave children outside unattended, especially at dawn and dusk.
• As a deterrent, install outside and motion-sensitive lighting around your property.
• Trim vegetation and remove wood piles to reduce hiding places for wildlife.
• Bring pets and livestock inside at night or secure them in a barn or kennel with a top.

If you do encounter a cougar, here are some tips to help keep you safe, according to the DWR:

• Never run from a cougar, since that could trigger the cougar’s instincts to chase.
• Maintain eye contact.
• Pick up children and pets or keep them very close.
• Stand up tall.
• Do not crouch or squat.
• Make yourself look bigger by raising and waving your arms or jacket above your head.
• Talk firmly in a loud voice, back away slowly and leave the area.
• Fight back if you are attacked! Protect your head and neck.
• If you are aggressive enough, the cougar will probably flee.

If a cougar is seeking prey, they will typically try to sneak up on them and ambush them, the DWR said. Conversely, if a cougar lunges or bluffs a charge, they are usually just trying to drive you out of the area because they have kittens or a kill nearby.

While there reportedly has been an increase in cougar numbers and sightings in Utah in recent years, the DWR said you should report a sighting if a cougar has killed something in a neighborhood or yard, exhibited aggressive behavior, or appeared several times on your security cameras.

“If you capture footage of a cougar on security cameras one time or see one from a distance in foothill areas, you do not need to report it,” the DWR said. “One-time sightings of cougars are typically when the animal is moving through an area, and it has often left by the time DWR biologists and conservation officers can respond.”

For more information on mountain lions, visit the Wild Aware Utah website .

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